Solvent recyler as solar energy’s sidekick

. Filed under: Solar Energy

Companies that generate solvent waste understand that the most cost effective and environmentally acceptable method of managing spent solvent is by not generating it in the first place. Source reduction techniques or minimizing the generation of spent solvent at the source as well as pollution prevention (P2) where toxic solvents are replaced with new non toxic solvents recovery should be investigated before examining the feasibility of recycling the commonly used toxic Solvent Recovery System in many businesses today. This fact sheet will only address issues concerning  the commercial recycling of toxic solvents due to their potential threat to human health and the environment.

Companies must consider many issues before pursuing solvent recycling as a waste management option. While some companies have chosen to install in-house solvent distillation units to recycle their own spent solvent, others have enlisted the services of a commercial solvent recycling company.

In house solvent distillation units minimize transportation, disposal and potential liability costs associated with off-site disposal. Sometimes, however, in-house recycling is not cost effective or consistent with existing facilities and labor skills, or it fails to produce solvent that can be reused by the facility. In these instances, a commercial Waste Recovery System may be preferred

Solar marketing program with specified marketing technique

. Filed under: Solar Energy

Concern about the reliability of solar is a barrier to market growth; consumers believe they will be “buying” into a simpler lifestyle with solar that they are not ready for. solar energy systems are not often visible in our every day lives, in our neighborhoods or on our public buildings. We rarely see solar installations as we travel or on tV. the invisibility of solar technologies contributes to a sense that solar energy is not up to the task of powering our modern world.

we need better marketing to handle the situation. there are ways of marketing ideas, such as mailing lists and telemarketing lists service. it’s a way to make solar power become popular. List Giant specializes in and offers mailing lists and telemarketing lists. List Giant is a simple, online system to choose from tons of list demographics, run list counts, and download your desired mailing lists and telemarketing lists in minutes, 24 hours a day. it will help us to build a survey and determine the next step of solar marketing program.

However, solar programs can begin to address the issue of reliability by ensuring that solar is as visible as possible in their markets and is presented as a powerful source of energy, one that will help fuel and build a stronger economy.

Research also indicates that solar customers are much more comfortable with technology than “inerts”-those simply thinking about solar. As early adopters, existing solar customers are more at ease researching manufacturer and installer options than those who are more conservative about new technology.

so let start this task immediately.

House Heats and Cools Without Electricity

. Filed under: Solar Energy

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Forty years ago, Harold Hay, 98, invented a simple, inexpensive way to heat and cool a home using the sun’s rays, but without the panels and wiring that come with conventional solar energy systems.

He’s been pushing for its adoption ever since, trying to find footing in each of the solar industry’s last three boom-and-bust cycles.

Yet, despite the merits of his pioneering technology, the energy establishment has shown only fleeting interest.

As Gore said, quoting Upton Sinclair “it is hard to get someone to understand something — if their salary depends upon not understanding it.”

When it comes to climate change, those who refuse to act are mostly those without imagination, or those whose financial interests support the status quo. Passive solar systems cost little or nothing to operate, and so represent a serious threat to the fossil fuel industry.

Hay’s system keeps a house between 65-75 degrees year-round with virtually no electricity. What’s the catch? It requires the house to be built from scratch, and built strong enough to hold a roof-sized pond of water. Still, to have no heating or cooling bills for the life of the home? Wow. [Click the story link at the top of the article for a video of this house and how the system works.]

Even if people didn’t want to have flat roofs, I see no reason why they couldn’t heavily insulate their home and locate the solar pond elsewhere on their property. Then they could use pumps and heat-exchangers to take advantage of the water’s thermal mass. Certainly this could be a great way to cool apartments and commercial buildings as well.

Cheap electricity, fuel oil, and natural gas have kept people using energy-hogging central furnaces and forced-air systems, generating countless gigatons of CO2 for decades. Solutions such as the Skytherm house are as simple and elegant as it gets and produce no CO2. Only two things stand between our current situation and a clean planet and better life: greed and inertia.

Carbon taxes will make the status quo prohibitive, and force many of these types of solutions. There are many details to be worked out, of course, but a better national energy policy can turn this sad situation of needless energy waste around. There’s no excuse anymore, it’s just common sense. It’s high time for solar energy to stop being a science project and get mainstreamed

Solar Energy Pros And Cons

. Filed under: Solar Energy

Have you been thinking about changing your power source over to renewable energy? I have also listed some of the Solar Energy Cons. A person can’t sincerely arrive at an honest conclusion without acknowledging the advantages and minuses. You should check into every aspect of changing over before approaching to your ultimate conclusion.There are more Pros that are not listed here that may or will not be essential to you depending upon your stance regarding the environment.

* Solar energy is a renewable resource. It doesn’t induce pollution while you generate it.
* Sunlight, unlike fossil fuels is all over, all though it is not evenly dispensed throughout the world. Solar energy can be made anywhere, even when there are no local utility supplier, therefore you are able to have power in inaccessible areas.
* With the correct resources, the components necessary to construct a solar system can be bought or produced rather inexpensively
* The nicest matter about solar power is that it’s costless to all.
* The engineering in use to implement solar radiation as energy to get electricity, heat, and mechanical power currently exists
* Solar systems possess no moving elements and can last numerous years.
* You don’t require fuel to be delivered to your home, and you will never run out.
* Granted the correct data, it’s almost always possible to forecast the amount of power a solar energy system will give.
* The systems are silent and becoming more and more unnoticeable.
* You will be able to qualify for financial incentives from the government to assist with paying for your system and also get tax breaks while it is in use.
* Using solar energy means one less home burning fossil fuels, and reduces the creation of greenhouse gas.

Solar Energy Cons

I’ve listed the Cons for using Solar Energy as well. Although there aren’t many disadvantages, they should still be weighed in.

* If you don’t know where to get the components at a discount, the original costs can be kind of high.
* Solar panels can require a lot of space. That’s why the roof is the optimal location for them to be set up.
* You can’t generate solar energy at nighttime, so you need a way to store it. Batteries are a good energy storage choice. With the right information, you can purchase batteries for as low a $10 apiece or even free!
* Bad weather conditions can impact the amount of energy generated.

As you can see the Solar Energy Pros overbalance the Solar Energy Cons. If you are worried about the environment and you also acknowledge the income saving potential of using solar power, then this can be a good path for you to choose. I think that someday in our lifetime, solar power will become a more popular choice. By harnessing the power of sunshine, the Earth could change for the better one home at a time. Besides, our grandchildren will appreciate it.

Solar Pool Heating

. Filed under: Solar Energy

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Solar water heaters can be used to heat swimming pools and spas.

In a solar pool-heating system, the existing pool filtration system pumps pool water through the solar collector, and the collected heat is transferred directly to the pool water. Solar pool-heating collectors operate just slightly warmer than the surrounding air temperature and typically use inexpensive, unglazed, low-temperature collectors made from specially formulated plastic materials. Glazed (glass-covered) solar collectors are not typically used in pool-heating applications, except for indoor pools, hot tubs, or spas in colder climates. In some cases, unglazed copper or copper-aluminum solar collectors are used.

In residential applications where the goal is usually to extend the swimming season into spring and fall, heating a swimming pool with solar energy requires a solar collector that is 50% to 100% of the surface area of the pool. In general, adding more square footage lengthens the swimming season and allows owners to use the pool in colder weather. A pool cover or blanket significantly reduces heat loss in a cost-effective manner and helps maintain warm temperatures for long periods.

A solar pool-heating system costs between $2,000 and $10,000 to buy and install, depending on size. Costs run between $7 – $12 per square foot depending on system design and collection type. This provides a return on investment between 1.5 and 7 years, depending on the cost of the auxiliary energy being displaced.

Maintenance of solar pool-heating systems is minimal. The systems are pre-engineered and can be sized for any pool by simply adding additional solar panels to obtain an adequate solar collector area.

The only moving part on a solar pool-heating system is the diverting valve. This valve controls when the water circulates through the collector loop. If the collector temperature is sufficiently higher than the temperature of the water in the pool, water is diverted from the filter systems through the collector loop. The water bypasses the solar collectors during the night or cloudy periods. Some smaller systems are operated manually or with timers. Larger systems are operated by electronic sensors and controls.

Types Of Solar Energy

. Filed under: Solar Energy

Green energy is the newest movement in for home owners, and solar energy is one of the more popular options.  Through the use of the various types of solar energy, homes and be heated and provided with electricity without causing any damage to the environment. For modern applications, solar energy can be used for several different reasons.  Those are;

  • Heating
  • Cooling
  • Water Heating
  • Light
  • Electricity Generation

Each of these, aside from generating electricity, comes in two distinct forms, active and passive.  The difference is simple, active solar energy require extensive interference from technology in order to harness solar power, while passive gets solar energy without the use of any technology.

The sun has long been considered to be one of the greatest natural energy sources known to man.  Now, through both careful planning and creative technology, you can harness solar energy to help deplete your need for the use of fossil fuels.  Here is a breakdown of the different types of solar energy.

solar-4Heating

The sun naturally gives off the heat that makes this planet habitable, so why not use it to heat things like your home, office, or even your car.  Both active and passive solar heating can easily be achieved.  Passive solar heating is by far the better of the two options.  It involve the use of large windows appropriately oriented to get maximum exposure to the sun.  These large windows slightly focus the sun’s rays, slightly magnifying them, heating the inside of the structure.  For those that live in the northern hemisphere, your large windows should face south.  Those in the southern hemisphere, north.  These windows should be double paned and appropriately size to maximize sun exposure.  They should also not be blocked by vegetation or landscaping, providing them with a constant exposure to the sun.

There are two types of active solar heating (solar heating achieved through the use of technology).  Those types are liquid or air based heating system.  Liquid systems use the solar power to heat water, typically through tiles and boards on the roof, then store the hot water in a storage tank.  This water is then either used to fuel a blower, distributing hot air through the home, or the hot water is run through the different structures of the home, like the floors and walls.  Air systems heat air using solar power, then pump it through the home just like a furnace would.

solar-5Cooling

Passive solar cooling is much simpler than it sounds.  It involves orienting the home so that it can naturally take advantage of things like wind flow, shade, and the sun’s natural arc.  Consider it to be the opposite to passive solar heating, at least in theory.  Setting up windows in your home to promote a good wind flow in your home will help keep it cool in summer, and having the appropriate windows size will help to reduce the amount of solar heat generated.  Adequate ventilation will keep a nice breeze flowing in your home, keeping you cooler in the hotter months.  You can also incorporate vegetation and other types of landscaping into passive cooling.  A large shade tree will help keep the sun’s rays off your home, or planting a thick climbing vine, like ivy, can help to reduce the amount of heat your home takes on from the sun.

Active solar cooling comes in three majorly used forms.  While many of these are not commonly used in the home quite yet, they have proven quite successful in larger buildings and office complexes.  Solar absorption is an air conditioner fuels by heated liquids.  When the liquids are heated by the sun’s energy, they separate from other substances, starting the air conditioner.  A desiccant system works differently than your traditional air conditioner.  If forces the air from a building though a filtering system that removes humidity from the air, making the building feel cooler.  Then, solar energy is used to dry out the filtration system.

The final can be considered a form of active solar cooling, but it is more a form of electricity generation.  It is included with active solar cooling because it makes perfect sense.  Photovoltaic cooling uses solar panels to generate electricity for a standard air conditioner.  Though there may be some conversion of power involved, a solar panel can more than adequately provide enough energy to to fuel a standard central air unit.  Since you primarily run your air conditioner on those hot, and sunny, summer days, why not use it to your advantage.  Setting up a system like this can save you a fortune on your summer heating bills.

solar-6Water Heating

We use a lot of water in our homes, but for cleaning and bathing purposes, we use mostly hot water.  Unfortunately, passive solar energy will not heat water enough for common application in the home.  Hot water much reach a certain temperature before it can be used to clean.

To get around this, there are two active solar water heat

ing systems, direct and indirect.  More commonly referred to as an open loop system, direct water heating systems push the water through solar heating panels to raise it to a certain temperature.  Then, the water is stored in an insulated collection tank, which serves as your hot water reserve.  It is pumped from there to the faucets of your home.  The water is continuously moved through the solar panels, constantly heating the water supply.

The closed loop system (indirect) is highly similar, but instead of pumping the water itself through the solar panels, the pumps a heating fluid.  Once this fluid is hot, it is pumped through the water supply, heating it in a similar fashion to a pot full of water on the stove.  From the hot water reserve, it is distributed to your home.

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Light

This may seem like common sense, but creating a home designed to function off of passive solar energy is more complex than you would think.  It can involve several architectural changes and the possibility for a complete adaptation of your living space.  Passive solar lighting involves the use of large windows and sun lights to allow natural light in the entire time the sun is up, eliminating the need to turn on a single light during the daytime.  Having several windows that face south and sun lights (windows in the ceiling) are good starts, but you must also keep these free from obstructions.  You will also need to consider the natural arc of your day.  You wake up at sunrise, and go to sleep at sunset.  You will use your kitchen several times a day, and you will primarily use your living room in the evening.  So, since the sun moves from east to west, your bedroom should be on the east side of your home (first light during the day, completely dark by bedtime), the kitchen should be on the south side of your home (constant light throughout the day, should be on the north side for those in the southern hemisphere), and you living room should be on the west side of the home, so it will be able to harness the evening sun for light.  Using passive solar lighting can really add a new dynamic to your home.

Active solar lighting comes in two types of solar energy, either through electricity generation of photovoltaic lighting.  Most homes will need a complex energy generation system to light an entire home, but this type of system would be used to provide your entire home with electricity.  Photovoltaic lighting is most commonly used on the outside of the home.  These lights create enough energy to run that individual light through smaller photo-reactive electric semiconductors.  These semiconductors produce small amount of electricity when exposed to sunlight.  This energy is stored in the light until it gets dark, when the light will automatically turn on.  These are commonly used to light gardens, walkways, driveways, and various architectural structures.

solar-8Electricity Generation

This is what most people will think of when you mention any type of solar energy.  It is the use of technology to turn solar energy into usable electricity, which can then power anything you want to in the home.  This is thanks to photovoltaics.  Certain substances can convert solar energy into electricity, and placing several panels made of these photo-reactive substances can be used to generate a substantial amount of electricity.  Now how does this work in the home.

To start, your home will stay hooked to the grid, that way you will never go without power.  Solar panels, made of these photovoltaic material, are installed on your roof, typically facing south to gather the most sun light.  When solar energy hits these panels , is generates electricity, which then flows through a converter to change it from a DC current to an AC current.  This energy is then used first to power your home, or, with certain systems, it can be stored for future use.  One of the bigger advantages is that energy you don’t use can back flow through your connection to the power company.  This provide the power company with additional energy, and pushes your meter back, lowering your bill when you’re not using your stores of solar power.

Electricity generation can be used to only power specific appliances as well.  This is a good gradual step into green energy.  Photo-reactive solar panels are used to power individual large appliances, eliminating their need to be attached to the grid, lowering your energy bill.  This can be set up to work on things like electric stoves, washers, dryers, air conditioners, or a number of large appliances found in the home.  Imagine eliminating your air conditioner from your electric bill during those hot summer months.

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